Browse Now . . .

Sanction

One must speak up in situations where silence can objectively be taken to
mean agreement with or sanction of evil. When one deals with irrational
persons, where argument is futile, a mere “I don’t agree with you” is
sufficient to negate any implication of moral sanction. When one deals with
better people, a full statement of one’s views may be morally required. But in
no case and in no situation may one permit one’s own values to be attacked or
denounced, and keep silent.

A forced compliance is not a sanction. All of us are forced to comply with many
laws that violate our rights, but so long as we advocate the repeal of such
laws, our compliance does not constitute a sanction. Unjust laws have to be
fought ideologically; they cannot be fought or corrected by means of mere
disobedience and futile martyrdom.